Press & Media
Welcome to the Press & Media area!
Here, you will find the latest news, press releases, media resources, and updates about the EFP.
For media inquiries or further assistance, please contact press@efp.org.
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01 Apr 2020
Xavier Struillou, new president of the EFP
Dr Xavier Struillou takes over from Prof Filippo Graziani as president of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), the global benchmark in gum health and gum disease
Giving the best support to the 37 EFP-affiliated societies of periodontology is one of Xavier Struillou’s top priorities
30 Mar 2020
Perio Master Clinic 2020 puts focus on periodontal tissue regeneration
The most challenging area of periodontal and implant therapy today is the regeneration of hard and soft tissues around teeth and implants. This topic is the focus of Perio Master Clinic 2020, which takes place in Dublin, Ireland, on March 6 and 7.
For more information, please contact press@efp.org.
30 Mar 2020
Perio Master Clinic 2020
Perio Master Clinic 2020 unveiled
latest insights in periodontal regeneration, the ‘holy grail’ of dentistry
Management of flap design, the correct procedures for single- and multiple-tooth gingival recessions, techniques for lateral and vertical bone augmentation, and the choice of the optimal bone graft were
the main topics discussed
Organised by the EFP, Perio Master Clinic provides dental clinicians with in-depth overview of the latest techniques in a key clinical topic in periodontology
Download the full Press Release and supporting media in the .ZIP file below.
30 Jan 2020
EFP and WHF periodontal and cardiovascular diseases Toolkit
European Federation of Periodontology and World Heart Federation publish far-reaching report on links between periodontal and cardiovascular diseases
This media toolkit contains the consensus report in ful with the official Press Release. We have include images for Mariano Sanz and Pablo Perel.
28 Nov 2019
Perio Workshop 2019 takes a major step forward to help dentists treat periodontitis
Brussels, 26 November 2019. A major step forward for an evidence-based, more effective approach to the treatment of periodontitis stages I, II and III, has been the outcome of Perio Workshop 2019, a top-level scientific meeting organised by the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) with more than 90 leading periodontal scientists, dental experts, and guideline-development specialists from around the world.
05 Aug 2019
JCP Editor in Chief: Applications open
Do you have the skills to sit as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Clinical Periodontology?
Download the information sheet.
20 May 2019
Using an electric toothbrush helps prevent tooth loss
Brussels, Belgium, 22 May 2019. Using an electric toothbrush helps prevent tooth loss, according to a study published today in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (1), the official publication of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).
Greatest impact is maintaining good oral health
Also slows progression of periodontal disease
References and notes:
1) Pitchika V, Pink C, Völzke H, Welk A, Kocher T, Holtfreter B. Long-term impact of powered toothbrush on oral health: 11-year cohort study. J Clin Periodontol. 2019. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.13126.
2) Jordan AR, Micheelis W. (2016) Fünfte Deutsche Mundgesundheitsstudie (DMS V). In: IDZ-Materialienreihe, Bd. 35, (ed.) I. D. Z. Zahnärzte, pp. 617. Köln: Deutscher Zahnärzte Verlag DÄV.
3) Verma S, Bhat KM. Acceptability of powered toothbrushes for elderly individuals.J Public Health Dent. 2004;64:115–117.
4) Whitmyer CC, Terezhalmy GT, Miller DL, Hujer ME. Clinical evaluation of the efficacy and safety of an ultrasonic toothbrush system in an elderly patient population.Geriatr Nurs. 1998;19:29–33.
5) Hujoel PP, Hujoel MLA, Kotsakis GA. Personal oral hygiene and dental caries: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Gerodontology. 2018;35:282–289. doi:10.1111/ger.12331.
Brussels, Belgium, 22 May 2019. Using an electric toothbrush helps prevent tooth loss, according to a study published today in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (1), the official publication of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).
“Electric toothbrushes have become increasingly popular among all age groups in Germany (2) but few studies have tested their long-term effectiveness,” said study author Dr Vinay Pitchika, of the University of Greifswald, Germany. “Our study shows that electric toothbrushes are most beneficial in maintaining good oral health and are linked with slower progression of periodontal disease.”
The 11-year observational study investigated the association between electric toothbrushing and periodontitis, caries and number of teeth present. The study included 2,819 adults from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) study who were examined in 2002 to 2006 and were followed up after six and 11 years. At baseline, 18% used an electric toothbrush, rising to 37% at the 11-year follow-up.
Overall, electric toothbrush users experienced 20% less tooth loss during follow-up than manual toothbrush users. This translated to an average of 0.4 more teeth retained (out of 28 teeth). The benefits were slightly greater in regular (at least twice a day) electric (versus manual) toothbrushers. When participants were divided into groups according to the severity of periodontitis, the association between electric toothbrushing and tooth retention was significant only in those with no/mild periodontitis (and not in those with moderate or severe periodontitis).
In a healthy mouth, the gums fit tightly around each tooth. Periodontal disease causes destruction of bone surrounding the tooth, leads to deeper pockets around the teeth which can lead to tooth loss. The study found that electric toothbrushing was linked with less pockets and better attachment of teeth to the gums and bone. This was shown by 22% and 21% lower progression of probing depth and clinical attachment loss (see figure), respectively, compared to manual toothbrush users.
When participants were divided into groups according to the severity of periodontitis, significant associations with probing depth were observed in people with no/mild and moderate periodontitis, while the link with clinical attachment loss was found only in those with moderate periodontitis. There was no relationship between electric toothbrushing and the two measurements in those with severe periodontitis.d
Dr Pitchika said: “People who already have relatively good oral health and minimal periodontal breakdown appear to profit the most from electric toothbrushing. Electric toothbrushes were much more effective as a preventive tool rather than when periodontitis had already progressed. People with severe periodontitis need periodontal treatment.”
Dr Pitchika noted that people with good oral health tend to be younger, while those with periodontitis are usually older. But he added: “Previous studies have shown that electric toothbrushes seem to be better for plaque control in older people, who have reduced fine motor skills.” (3,4)
There was no association between electric toothbrush usage and dental caries. “Compared to the type of toothbrush, we presume that fluoride has a major role to play in preventing caries or reducing progression of caries,” said Dr Pitchika. (5)
Brussels, Belgium, 22 May 2019. Using an electric toothbrush helps prevent tooth loss, according to a study published today in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (1), the official publication of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).
“Electric toothbrushes have become increasingly popular among all age groups in Germany (2) but few studies have tested their long-term effectiveness,” said study author Dr Vinay Pitchika, of the University of Greifswald, Germany. “Our study shows that electric toothbrushes are most beneficial in maintaining good oral health and are linked with slower progression of periodontal disease.”
The 11-year observational study investigated the association between electric toothbrushing and periodontitis, caries and number of teeth present. The study included 2,819 adults from the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) study who were examined in 2002 to 2006 and were followed up after six and 11 years. At baseline, 18% used an electric toothbrush, rising to 37% at the 11-year follow-up.
Overall, electric toothbrush users experienced 20% less tooth loss during follow-up than manual toothbrush users. This translated to an average of 0.4 more teeth retained (out of 28 teeth). The benefits were slightly greater in regular (at least twice a day) electric (versus manual) toothbrushers. When participants were divided into groups according to the severity of periodontitis, the association between electric toothbrushing and tooth retention was significant only in those with no/mild periodontitis (and not in those with moderate or severe periodontitis).
In a healthy mouth, the gums fit tightly around each tooth. Periodontal disease causes destruction of bone surrounding the tooth, leads to deeper pockets around the teeth which can lead to tooth loss. The study found that electric toothbrushing was linked with less pockets and better attachment of teeth to the gums and bone. This was shown by 22% and 21% lower progression of probing depth and clinical attachment loss (see figure), respectively, compared to manual toothbrush users.
When participants were divided into groups according to the severity of periodontitis, significant associations with probing depth were observed in people with no/mild and moderate periodontitis, while the link with clinical attachment loss was found only in those with moderate periodontitis. There was no relationship between electric toothbrushing and the two measurements in those with severe periodontitis.d
Dr Pitchika said: “People who already have relatively good oral health and minimal periodontal breakdown appear to profit the most from electric toothbrushing. Electric toothbrushes were much more effective as a preventive tool rather than when periodontitis had already progressed. People with severe periodontitis need periodontal treatment.”
Dr Pitchika noted that people with good oral health tend to be younger, while those with periodontitis are usually older. But he added: “Previous studies have shown that electric toothbrushes seem to be better for plaque control in older people, who have reduced fine motor skills.” (3,4)
There was no association between electric toothbrush usage and dental caries. “Compared to the type of toothbrush, we presume that fluoride has a major role to play in preventing caries or reducing progression of caries,” said Dr Pitchika. (5)
23 Apr 2019
Evidence shows that good oral health can improve general health and reduce medical costs
Periodontitis is characterised by chronic inflammation of the gums in response to a microbial biofilm accumulating around and below the gingival (gum) margins. On the basis of the evidence, the European Federation of Periodontology is able to state that periodontitis is significantly and independently associated with the major non-communicable diseases of ageing that account for 70% of mortality in the world today, including cardiovascular disease, Type-2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.1
Severe periodontitis adversely affects blood-sugar levels in people without diabetes and blood-sugar control in people who do have diabetes. The more severe the periodontitis, the worse the associated diabetes complications (mainly cardiac and renal). Overall, studies show that successful periodontal treatment improves diabetes outcomes. Severe periodontal disease also imparts significantly elevated risk for coronary artery (heart) disease and stroke and it has been shown that periodontal therapy improves cardiovascular (heart) outcome measures (with most data in humans based on biomarker outcomes of heart disease, such as endothelial function and vascular elasticity).
Treatment of periodontitis improves the overall systemic health by reducing systemic inflammation, improving diabetes outcomes and provides a better quality of life. Health-economic data provide new, independent, and potentially valuable evidence that well- performed, non-invasive periodontal therapy may significantly reduce healthcare costs for people with diabetes, stroke, or coronary artery disease.2 According to a major US study, treatment of periodontal disease to a defined end-point reduces annual medical costs in patients diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes by 40%, in those with heart-disease (coronary artery disease) by 11%, and in those with stroke (cerebrovascular disease) by 41%.
However, by far the most effective intervention is periodontal prevention, where evidence suggests that primary prevention of inflammation of the gums by individuals, supported by professional plaque control, is a very effective method for preventing the development of more severe gum disease and thereby preventing the possible resulting systemic effects. 3
- Source: EFP/AAP workshop on periodontitis and systemic diseases, 2012. J Clin Periodontol 2013; 40(S14):20-3
- Source: (Am J Prev Med 2014;47(2):166–174) & 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Impact of Periodontal Therapy on General Health. Evidence from Insurance Data for Five Systemic Conditions. Marjorie K. Jeffcoat, DMD, Robert L. Jeffcoat, PhD, Patricia A. Gladowski, RN, MSN, James B. Bramson, DDS, Jerome J. Blum, DDS
- XI European Workshop of Periodontology, “Effective prevention of periodontal and peri-implant diseases”, 2014. J Clin Periodontol 2015; 42 (S16).
20 Mar 2019
People who don’t see a dentist regularly should be screened by their doctor for gum disease
That’s the main message of a study published today, World Oral Health Day, in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology (1), the official publication of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).
About 50% of people over 30 years of age have periodontitis, which is severe inflammation of the gums and structures supporting the teeth. If untreated, it causes tooth loss and inflammation throughout the body, which has been linked with higher risks of diabetes, heart attack, and stroke.
19 Feb 2019
Perio & Cardio Workshop 2019
Dental and heart experts arrive at consensus on the links between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease. Joint recommendations will be published soon. Representatives of the EFP and the WHF reviewed current evidence at a workshop held on 18 and 19 February in Madrid, Spain.
Dental and heart experts set to publish joint recommendations
There is a wealth of scientific evidence linking periodontitis to cardiovascular diseases. Workshop participants aim to reach a consensus and to publish evidence-based recommendations on the value of oral health to reduce heart disease.
Oral hygiene contributes to a healthy heart
Cardiologists should be aware of the connection between gum disease and heart disease and encourage their patients to be screened for periodontitis. Patients with gum disease should manage their CVD risk factors.
Perio&Cardio images
Find photos of the Perio & Cardio workshop here. Please credit the EFP.
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